Electric device



7 Dec. 10, 19 40. BJFfMlJLDOQN 2,224,742

' ELECTRIC DEVICE fl Filed Au 18, 1957 s Sheets-Sheet s Fl i \NVENTORRegistered Dec. 10, 1940 UNITED STATES 2,224,742 ELECTRIC DEVICE BernardFranc is Muldoon, Mountain View, N. J., assignor to Henry Hyman,Brooklyn, N. Y.

Application August 18, 1937, SerialtNo. 159,664 4 Claims. (01. 240-101;)

This invention relates to portable electric lanterns. More particularlythis invention relates to the type of portable electric lanterns adaptedfor use as a caution or safety light, and embodying an intermittentflashing device designed to further attract attention and to decreaseconsumption from the power source.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide a portable electriclantern of the character 10 described having a novel and improvedhousing construction, and means of assembly therefor, and which includesimproved means for housing a plurality of battery cells.

Another object of my invention is to provide a portable electric lanternof the character described having a translucent dome of novelconstruction and design adapted to diffuse the rays of light from alight source within said dome.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a portable electriclantern of the character described which shall have maximum lightinglife by providing a double battery circuit in parallel.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a portable electriclantern of the character described which shall comprise relatively fewand simple parts, which shall be easy to assemble, which shall berelatively inexpensive to manufacture and to maintain, which shall behighly water- 30 proofed and electrically insulated, which shall beadapted to the use of standard size unit flashlight batteries, whichshall be rugged in construction, yet neat in appearance and which shalloperate with a high degree of efilciency.

Other objects of this invention will in part be obvious and in parthereinafter pointed out.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction,combinations of elements, and arrangement of parts which will be exem-40 plified in the construction hereinafter described,

and of which the scope of application will be indicated in the followingclaims.

Certain features shown and described but not claimed in this applicationare described and 45 claimed in my copending application, Serial No.

159,663 filed simultaneously herewith. v

In the accompanying drawings, in which is shown one of the variouspossible embodiments of this invention:

Fig. 1 is a vertical section view of a portable electric lanternembodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially on the line 2-2 ofFig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken substan- 55 tially on the line 33of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a bottom plan view of the device illustrated in Fig. 3;

Figs. 5, 6 and 7 are detail views of portions of the device shown inFigs. 1 to 4 and Fig. 8 is a bottom perspective view, of reduced size,of the device shown in Figs. 1 and 3, illustrating one of its uses.

Fig. 9 is a plan view of the light transmitting I A in a manner soon tobe described. The casing C may comprise a cylindrical side wall C"having a stepped construction adjacent the top thereof forming annularshoulders I 0 and II and a top wall C which may be integral with thewall C".

Fixed to the top wall C is a metallic screw shell l2 of usualconstruction and design and adapted to receive therein the threadedshank of an electric lamp l3. The lamp I3 is provided with an electricalcontact portion I2 adapted to project thru an aperture H5 in the topwall C to contact a conductor member I4 carried by an insulated plateIS. The member l4 and plate I5 are so designed and arranged incooperation with a switch S, as to energize the lamp I3 from a source ofsupply, such as for example a plurality of batteries, in a manner asfully shown and described in my said co-p'endingapplication Serial No.159,663. As shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings, and as described in mysaidco-pending application, the plate l5 may also, if desired, support aflasher device designed-to cause intermittent flashing of the lamp iiito provide a flash safety signal light of the type designed to be usedby automobilists on highways when they are obliged to stop for repairsat night, or for any other similar uses. The plate 15 also carries apair of contact members 22 and 23 adapted to cooperate with a switch Srotatably mounted in the wall C" of the casing and constructed and.arranged as described in my said co-pending application.

Mounted on the shouldefli is -a dome G of translucent material such asglass and adapted to surround and enclose the lamp I3 projectingupwardly therein as shown. The dome G may be detachably secured to thecasing C by any suitable attaching means, such as for example, a pair ofscrew threaded pins 25 (see Fig. 3) and which may be diametricallydisposed and rigidly attached to the shoulder ll of the casing C andadapted to project upwardly therefrom. The pins 25 are received in apair of diametrically opposed notches 26 in the flange 21 of the dome G.A pair of knurled nuts 28 may be screwed to the pins 25 to releasablyretain the said globe in attachment with the casing C. To facilitate the-mounting of the nuts 28, the globe G is provided with recessed portionsin the outer surface thereof adjacent the notches 26.

In accordance with my invention, I have provided means for mounting aplurality of battery cells B and B connected in series in a circularpath adjacent the cylindrical wall To this end I have provided astructure which may com- 5 prise the laminated discs 3| and 32 ofinsulating material (or a single disc may be employed, if desired) and aplate 33 parallel to the discs 3| and 32 and connected thereto in spacedrelationship by means of a pair of arms 34 which may be integral withthe plate 33 at one of their ends and having their opposite ends fixedto the underside of the disc 32.

The undersurface of the disc 32 is provided with a plurality ofdiametrically disposed recessed areas 36 and 36' adapted to receivetherein one end of the dry cells B. The said recesses 36 and 36 areprovided with resilient conductor members 31 and 31', respectively,adapted to electrically contact one pole of the cells B. Interposedbetween each pair of cells- B is a cell B adapted to have the oppositepole thereof from that of the cells B received in a plurality ofdiametrically opposed recesses 38 and 38, circumferentially disposedbetween the recesses 36 and 36'. It is noted that each of thecontactmembers 31 has an extending portion 310. thereof disposed in theadjacent recess 38, while the ends 80a of the resilient contact members80 are disposed in the recesses 38. It is also noted that the 0 contactmembers 31 disposed in the recesses 36' have extending portions 31"adapted to contact the'metallic casing C. To complete the circuit thruthe batteries B and B there is provided a second disc member 39 similarto the disc 32 and 35 adapted to rest upon the top wall 40.0f the baseA.

The disc 39 is also provided with a plurality of spaced recesses 86 andthe recesses 88 interposed between the said recesses 86. The disc 39 isslightly turned out of direct alignment'with the 40 disc 32 so that therecesses 36 and 36' of the disc 32 are in axial alignment with therecesses 88 of the disc 39 and the recesses 38 and 38' of the disc 32are in axial alignment with the recesses 86 ofthe disc 39. A pluralityof resilient contact members 81 are adapted to interconnect oppositepoles of adjacently disposed batteries, in a manner similar to theconstruction of the member 31. To aid in positioning the battery cells Band B, the plate 33 is provided with a plurality of arcuate notches 33ain the periphery thereof to conform to the peripheral contour of thebatteries. To retain the said batteries in position the plate 33 may beprovided with integral extending arms 42 (see Fig. 3) provided witharched portions 42a designed to frictionally and resiliently engage theside walls of the battery cells B and B.

It is thus seen from the above described construction that thecircumferentially disposed bat teries are arranged in two independentcircuits 50 comprising groups of four adjacently disposed battery cellsconnected in series, while the two circuits are connected in parallel bymeans of the casing wall and the member 80. The advantage of this typeof construction lies in the fact that in emergencies the device may beoperated on one circuit only. Also,the life of the battery cells isthereby increased. For convenience in recognizing the two independentcircuits the disc 32 may be provided with a. dividing line X or ifdesired each half of the disc 32 on opposed sides of the line X may becolored differently.

As will be seen from Figs. 6 and '7 of the drawings, the recesses 38,and 38' in the disc 32, and

the recesses 88 in the disc 39 are so constructed and arranged withrespect to the portions 310. and a of the contact members 31 and 80 thatonly one end of the cells B will be able to make contact therewith. Inother words, if a cell B were inserted in a reversed position, therewould be no 5 electrical contact made, thus preventing a possible shortcircuit. It is also noted that a short circuit will be prevented when abattery cell B is reversed in the recesses 36 and 36 in the disc 32,

and in the recesses 88 in the disc 39 due to the 10' fact that thecontact members 31 and 31' are disposed at a spaced distance from thecenter of the recesses 36 and 36' and out of possible contact with thecentrally disposed terminal member of one end of the cell B. Only whenthe proper end 1 of the cell B is placed in the recesses 36 and 36' willthere be a proper electrical contact made.

By my invention I have provided the following construction formaintaining the plate IS, the discs 3|, 32 and 39 as well as the batterycells B 20 and B in proper assembled relationship with respect to thecasing C and the base A.

The top wall C is provided with a pair of spaced apertures 45. Inregistered alignment with the apertures 45 are the pairs of aperturesI511 25 in the plate |5, 46 in the discs 3| and 32; 41 in the plate 33;89 in the disc 39, and in the top wall 40 of the base A. By my inventionI have provided a pair of relatively long rods or screws 50 adapted tobe passed thru the pairs of aper- 30 tures 45, I5a, 46, 41, 89 and 90,above described, and having the heads 50a thereof adapted to abut theouter surface of the top wall 0'. The screws 50 may be retained inposition by a pair of wing nuts 52 adapted to abut the bottom sur- 35face of the wall 40 of the base A. The wing nuts 52 are designed to bereceived in the hollow area 53, so as to clear the bottom edge of thesaid base A, when it rests upon a flat surface. To maintain the properspacing of the plate I5 with respect 40 to the discs 3|, 32, as shown inthe drawings, I provide a pair of tubular spacer members 54 freelyreceived on the screws 50, as shown, one end of which is held inabutting relationship with the plate |5 while the other end thereofabuts the 45 discs 3|, 32. A pair of nuts 55 which may be screwed on thescrew 50, serve to maintain the proper spacing of the plate l5 and thediscs 3 32.

It is thus seen from the above described construction that the twomembers 50 serve to hold 50 in assembled relationship the essentialelements of my flasher device and switch members.

If desired, a pair of spacer members 56 may be provided between thescrew heads 50a and the top surface of the casing wall 0'. .Alsosuitable 55 lock washers 51 and 58 may be employed if desired.

I have also provided means for rendering my lantern weatherproof so thatit may be adapted for use in all sorts of Weather. To this end, I 60have provided between the junction of the base A and the casing wall C",a suitable packing such as a rubber washer 59. Also between the flange21 of the dome G and the portion ll of the top casing wall C I haveprovided a rubber washer 65 member 60. There is also provided rubberwashers 6| between the members 25 and the casing portion H, and a pairof washers 62 between the undersurface of the base Wall 40 and the nuts52. Also, as clearly shown and described in my co- 70 pendingapplication Serial No. 159,663, the switch S is waterproofed, making theentire device waterproof.

clearly illustrated in Figs. 1, 3 and 9 of the drawings and which willnow be described. The dome G is preferably made of translucent materialsuch as glass and may be suitably colored if desired. It is noted thatthe inner. surface of the dome is constructed of a stepped formation,defining a number of circumferential ridges 65 and 66, each of which areprovided with a plurality of spaced ribs 10 which are designed todiffuse the light from the lamp l3 in such manner that the rays of lightwill be visible from any angle and from a relatively great distance. Bythe above described construction, I am able to use a lamp which is ofrelatively small size in order to produce relatively large amountillumination. As shown in Fig. 9, the outer surface of the dome G isarranged in a plurality of rounded sectors 15 terminating in an'areaadjacent the top of the dome, to further aid amplification of theillumination furnishedby the lamp l3.

As shown in Fig. 1, there may also be provided a spare bulb carrierwhich comprises a resilient clip member 1| attached to the plate 33 byany suitable attaching means, such as an eyelet fastener I2 as shown,and which is adapted to carry a spare bulb l3.

There may be provided if desired a receptacle 13 which comprises asubstantially U-shaped metallic member provided with flanges I4 whichare adapted to be fixed to the outer surface of the casing wall C". Thereceptacle 13'is adapted to hold a flag or similar signalling article sothat my portable device may be used during the day when an electriclight would be ineffective. The receptacle 13 may be provided with aring member 15 adapted for carrying or storing the same by hanging theportable lantern on a hook when not in use;

There may also be provided if desired a mem- 40 ber I6 which may befixed to the wall 40 of the base A and which is provided with a guidewayinto which there is adapted to be inserted a suitable fastening memberH! (see Fig. 8) adapted for use in attaching the flasher device to anautomobile to serve as a tail light upon failure of the automobile taillight, or which may be used for any other similar purpose where a lightis desired.

It will thus be seen that there is provided a device in which theseveral objects of this invention are achieved, and which is welladapted to meet the conditions of practical use.

As various possible embodiments might be made of the above invention,and as various 55 changes might be made in the embodiments above setforth, it is to be understood that all matter hereiri set forth orshown'in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrativeand not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent:

1. An electric device of the character described comprising a casinghaving a cylindrical side 70 said side wall, a fiat circular insulatingmember overlying said bottom wall, said member being provided with aplurality of spaced recessed areas of the same size as and adapted toreceive therein the said projecting terminals of alternate batterycells, a second plurality of 'recessed areas interposed between saidfirst named recessed areas, said last named recessed areas being largerthan said first set of recessed areas and adapted to receive therein theends of the remainder of said battery cells opposite to that of theprojecting terminal ends, electrical contact members cooperating withadjacent recessed areas adapted to connect said plurality of batterycells in series, and means for connecting said battery cells to saidsocket.

2. An electric device of the character described comprising a casinghaving a cylindrical side wall, a top wall, and a bottom wall, a socketmounted in said top wall and adapted to receive therein an electriclight bulb, an insulating disc overlying said bottom wall, a secondinsulating disc adjacent said top wall, a plurality of battery cellsinterposed between said discs and arranged in a circular path adjacentsaid side wall, said cells having projecting terminals of reduceddiameter at one end thereof and each of said discs being provided with aplurality of spaced recessed areas of the same size as and adapted toreceive therein the said projecting terminals of half of said pluralityof battery cells, a second plurality of recessed areas, said last namedrecessed areas being larger than said first set of recessed areas andinterposed between said first named recessed areas adapted to receivetherein the ends of the second half of said battery cells opposite tothat of the projecting terminal ends, electrical contact memberscooperating with adjacent recessed areas adapted to connect saidplurality of battery cells in series, and means for connecting saidbatteries to said socket.

3. An electric device of the character described comprising a casinghaving a cylindrical side wall, a top wall and a bottom wall, means toposition a plurality of batteries, each having a flat base terminal anda centrally projecting top terminal, in an annular path in fixedrelationship relative to each-other aind adjacent said side wall, saidmeans comprising an upper and a lower spacing plate of insulatingmaterial and a member disposed between said plates and within theannulus formed by said batteries, said means being adapted to receiveadjacent battery,

cells with the terminals thereof oppositely disposed, means carried bysaid spacing plates to electrically connect said terminals inpredetermined order, said connecting means comprising electricallyconductive members having a contacting portion disposed centrally of abattery and a contacting portion disposed adjacent the periphery of anadjacent battery, whereby if similar terminals of a pair of adjacentbatteries are adjacently disposed, said connecting means will berendered ineffective, and means to move said spacing plates togetherre1atively toward each other to firmly clamp smd batteries therebetween,said bottom wall and said lower spacing plate being removable to provideaccess to the interior of said casing. i

4. An electric device as set forth in claim 3 wherein those portions ofsaid electrically conductive members not contacting said terminals ofsaid batteries are insulated from said batteries by saidplates.

' BERNARD FRANCIS MULDOON.

